Audio-Technica makes some pretty awesome audio equipment, like our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds the ATH-ANC23, which we’ve reviewed here. Well the company is now updating its full-sized cans and has just announced the ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint active noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones.

The ATH-ANC9 headphones improve noise cancelling performance, with Audio-Technica claiming that they can block up to 95% of outside noise. Active noise cancelling headphones include a powered circuit that creates an out-of-phase wave to outside noise that effectively cancels it, you can read more about the technology in our primer here. The ANC9s provide three different selectable noise-cancelling settings, targeted for use in airplanes, trains and buses, crowded places and finally already quiet locations like libraries for even more peace of mind.continue reading

We’ve disputed before that it’s hard to put a price on piece of mind, though AKG intends to do just that. The Harman owned quality audio brand has announced a pair of active noise canceling headphones the K490 NC and K495 NC. Active noise cancellation (ANC) works using small microphones and special circuitry to cancel out unwanted outside noise; we’ve covered the technology in some detail, and invite you to read out primer on noise cancellation here.

Though we are better inclined towards the more portable in-ear variety, like the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23, full-sized over-the-ear cans can provide better noise cancellation performance and audio quality. The K490 and K495 are both USB chargeable using integrated batteries, providing 40 hours of enjoyment. Thankfully, both will continue to pump out your tunes, even with the ANC circuit off, when the battery runs out.continue reading

This review is part of our round-up of three active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones. We’ve already covered the excellent Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 in-ear headphones here, and I recommend that you read that review as well. This review centers on the Sony MDR-NC300D noise cancelling earbuds and the final review will be of the Panasonic RP-HC55-S. As we’ve mentioned before, this group test only deals with the more portable earphone variety; if you read Stuff-Review you will know how much we appreciate portability and I wouldn’t imagine adding bulky headphones to my daily load.

You might also want to brush up on the terminology and technology behind active noise-cancelling headphones. Our primer, which can be found here, covers the different types of noise reduction implemented in consumer audio headphones and the differences between active noise cancellation and passive sound isolation.

In simple terms, sound isolation works by stopping sound from reaching your eardrum through soundproofing, while noise cancellation through special circuitry which create a noise-cancelling sound wave. I’m more in favor of the latter kind, simply because they offer the most comfortable experience and are more effective in cutting out constant frequency noise. Most ANC headphones offer noise isolation as well, and when you load-up your music, turn the ANC circuit on and cut-out the outside noise you are transported to a different world.

If you use any form of public transportation, or frequent any public place you cannot appreciate how much ambient noise there really is until you cut it out.continue reading

We’ll be covering an important, but neglected, section of portable audio, active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones. We’ve already covered in detail the different types of noise reduction implemented in consumer audio headphones and the differences between active noise cancellation and passive sound isolation, so you may want to read our primer here first.

In simple terms, sound isolation works by stopping sound from reaching your eardrum through soundproofing, while noise cancellation through special circuitry which create a noise-cancelling sound wave. I’m more in favor of the latter kind, simply because they offer the most comfortable experience and are more effective in cutting out constant frequency noise. Most ANC headphones offer noise isolation as well, and when you load-up your music, turn the ANC circuit on and cut-out the outside noise you are transported to a different world.

If you use any form of public transportation, or frequent any public place you cannot appreciate how much ambient noise there really is until you cut it out.

We’ll look at three different ANC earbuds: first, in this review, the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23, then in follow-up reviews, the Sony MDR-NC300D and finally the Panasonic RP-HC55-S. This group test only deals with the more portable in-ear earbuds/earphones; if you read Stuff-Review you will know how much we appreciate portability and I wouldn’t imagine adding bulky headphones to my daily load.continue reading

I’ve always been into audio technology of any kind, from high-end Hi-Fi separates to portable audio. Some years back I was introduced to noise isolating and noise cancelling headphones/earphones, since then I never looked back. It’s not until you cut out external noise from your listening that you will appreciate how much ambient noise there is, especially if you travel by and means of pubic transport.

This is a primer in the technology behind passive and active noise control, which will hopefully introduce you to the theory, benefits and caveats of these technologies.continue reading